St. Mary pedestrian death lifts Jamaica's year-to-date road toll to 100

A crash on the Rio Nuevo main road in St. Mary last evening brought Jamaica's road-death total since the start of the year to 100.

The victim was 28-year-old Oneil Tavares, of Rio Nuevo. Police report that at about 8:45 P.M., Tavares was walking along the road when he is said to have walked into the path of a Toyota Hiace. The vehicle hit him and he suffered serious injuries. He was taken to hospital, where he died.

Residents in the area say they are grieving his loss. One woman said Tavares had lost several relatives not long ago.

Vice Chair of the National Road Safety Council Dr. Lucien Jones said he was saddened by the incident. He stated that 139 road deaths were recorded over the same period last year. Dr. Jones said local experts believe Jamaica could see a 30% reduction in road deaths this year.